Former Cheongdo Mayor Under Investigation Found Dead

Kim Ha-soo, the former mayor of Cheongdo County in North Gyeongsang Province, was found dead in a mountain in Cheongdo town early Tuesday morning. The 67-year-old former mayor had been under police investigation for allegedly accepting 30 million won (approximately $27,000) in bribes for public official promotions during his tenure.

Kim's family reported him missing the previous night after discovering a suicide note he had written before leaving home. Firefighters and police launched a search and found his body near his ancestors' graves. Police stated that there were no other criminal suspicions at the scene or on his body. They also noted that the suicide note did not mention the ongoing investigation but primarily contained an apology to his family.

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There were no other criminal suspicions at the scene or on his body.

Recently, an associate of Kim's, who was suspected of delivering money to the former mayor, died by suicide. Another individual, identified as "A" (70s), was arrested for harboring this associate. Police confirmed they had not summoned or requested Kim Ha-soo to appear for questioning regarding these developments.

Kim Ha-soo had sought re-election in the June 3 local elections as a candidate for the People Power Party but was defeated by independent candidate Park Kwon-hyun.

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The suicide note did not mention the investigation but primarily contained an apology to his family.